Carolina Kostner: “Through choreographing for Yuma Kagiyama, I’ve seen a whole new side of him. While his discipline and technical excellence are well-known, I’ve also come to appreciate how quick a learner he is, how deeply he thinks, and how incredibly creative his mind is.”
Carolina Kostner reflects on her passion for the sport, her excitement for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics and her role as a coach and choreographer of Yuma Kagiyama.
original source: Nikkansports, August 29th, 2025
Former Italian figure skater and 2014 Olympic bronze medalist Carolina Kostner reflects on her enduring passion for the sport, her excitement for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, and her current role as a coach and choreographer, particularly guiding Japan’s rising star, Yuma Kagiyama. Here’s a translation of her comments posted on Nikkansports.
Kostner shared her thoughts in a recent interview, reflecting on how the Turin Games left an everlasting mark on her. At 19 years old, she not only competed, finishing ninth, but also had the honor of carrying the Italian flag at the opening ceremony.
“It has become something that will remain in my heart forever. Holding the national flag during the opening ceremony was one of the most honorable moments of my life. Witnessing Shizuka Arakawa win the gold medal showed the possibilities of courage and grace – it was incredibly inspiring. That moment deeply shaped me as a person and continues to inspire me to this day.”
Performing at the upcoming Friends on Ice exhibition in Yokohama (August 30–31), Kostner will reunite with Shizuka Arakawa, Daisuke Takahashi, who made his Olympic debut in Turin, and silver medalist Stephane Lambiel. Kostner has personally choreographed the program for their collaborative performance, which has brought back memories of Turin and heightened her connection to her upcoming home Olympics.
“Turin holds cherished memories for me,” she shared. “Through this opportunity, I want to share my love for figure skating, the friendships it has brought me, and the emotions I’ve experienced, all with future generations. Performing alongside Shizuka, Daisuke, and Stephane fills me with excitement.”
Since the 2022–23 season, Kostner has been coaching Yuma Kagiyama, the 2022 Olympic silver medalist, working under his father and primary coach, Masakazu Kagiyama. She contributes to his skating and artistic expression, areas where she herself excelled during her competitive career. Kostner has also choreographed Kagiyama’s exhibition program this season, set to an original composition by renowned Japanese pianist Hayato Sumino.
“My goal was not only to highlight Yuma’s extraordinary skating skills but also to emphasize his sensitivity and artistry. His skating achieves incredible speed with just a few steps. I’ve aimed to create moments where he can express emotions and connect with audiences on a deeper level than ever before,” Kostner explained.
As the Olympic season gets underway, Kagiyama has already competed in two regional competitions. Both his short program and free skate, as well as his exhibition performance, reflect his unique style and individuality.
“Through choreographing for Yuma, I’ve seen a whole new side of him. While his discipline and technical excellence are well-known, I’ve also come to appreciate how quick a learner he is, how deeply he thinks, and how incredibly creative his mind is. I hope he finds joy in performing to such wonderful music,” said Kostner.
Related topics: Carolina Kostner, Yuma Kagiyama
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